Winchester City Council and Stagecoach are evaluating Volvo’s latest zero-emission bus offering on the city’s park & ride service
Volvo’s MCV-bodied BZL electric demonstrator is being trialled by Winchester City Council in partnership with Stagecoach South. The demonstrator will be used for a four-week period on the city centre park & ride route and evaluated in terms of its performance, comfort and effectiveness. Charged by a portable charger at the depot, the bus also employs regenerative braking to capture the kinetic energy that is generated while the vehicle decelerates.
Councillor Kelsie Learney, Winchester City Council’s Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency, said: “It’s vital to reduce emissions of CO2 and tackle the great challenge of decarbonising the Winchester District as part of the wider issue of addressing climate change. Electric vehicles not only produce less carbon but are cleaner and quieter, improving the air quality and experience of being in city centres.”
Stagecoach South Commercial Director James O’Neill added: “It’s great to be working in partnership with Winchester City Council on the electric bus trial. The city council share our vision for driving net zero and we’re thrilled to be embarking on this project to make Winchester a greener place to live and work.”
